The Problem: You want to send your workplace gift to a specific charity, but United Way's policy doesn't allow it. At the same time, the "culture" in your company strongly encourages employees to give in the United Way fund drive.

The Solution: UWUW's Restricted Gift Receipt Service

How It Works: You make an online credit card contribution - a one time gift or a periodically recurring gift - to the United Way. You specify, however, that the gift is restricted to benefit a specific charity you choose. Simultaneously, you appoint UWUW as your agent to make sure United Way will honor your instructions. UWUW notifies the United Way that it has a restricted gift for them and will forward the money when they confirm in writing they will honor your instructions. If United Way does so within 30 days UWUW forwards the funds to the United Way with a letter of instruction specifying the ultimate charity beneficiary, and simultaneously UWUW notifies the charity of your gift. If within 30 days the United Way has not agreed to honor your instructions, UWUW will forward your gift directly to the charity you chose.

The Receipt: You print your receipt showing your United Way contribution (restricted) and attach it to your United Way pledge card or otherwise submit it to your fund drive coordinator.

Why It Works: When there is the prospect of actual money at hand, many United Ways will make exceptions to their restrictive rules. If they agree to take the money they can count it as part of their campaign total even if they don't get to keep it all, and they do get to keep some of the money when they assess their "transfer fee." That fee is the price you pay for the privilege of keeping both your company and your conscience happy.